The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of
Ohio and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local recovery
efforts in the area struck by severe storms, flooding, and tornadoes
beginning on August 20, 2007, and continuing.

The President's action makes Federal funding available to affected
individuals in the counties of Allen, Crawford, Hancock, Putnam,
Richland, and Wyandot.

Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs,
low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to
help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the
disaster.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard
mitigation measures statewide.

FEMA said that damage surveys are continuing in other areas, and more
counties and additional forms of assistance may be designated after the
assessments are completed.

FEMA said that residents and business owners who sustained losses in the
designated counties can begin applying for assistance tomorrow by
registering online at http://www.fema.gov or by
calling 1-800-621-FEMA(3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and
speech impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 8
a.m. to 6 p.m. (local time) Monday thru Sunday.